Silver Oak, 2001 Alexander Valley Cabernet

Silver Oak releases wine twice a year, the summer release is from grapes grown exclusively in Alexander Valley and is 100% cabernet. Normally this wine is very soft by its release date, this has been by design and due to the fact that the wine is aged a year longer than most wines before release. The current release is rich and dark, with an overwhelming nose (Alexa gives it thumbs up). As for the flavor it is very similar to the 1995 AV (yes I have tasting notes that go back that far) lots of cassis and black cherry. The tasting note from the winery also says dark chocolate, soy sauce, ginger and sandalwood; I don’t get that at all. The finish is moderately long and complex, with a number of flavor transitions. It is not as soft as one normally expects from Silver Oak but that will come in time. If you are going to buy it, plan on putting it down for a year or two. The winemaker says it will improve until 2023, fat chance it will make it that long around my house. This is the first vintage that Daniel Baron has been fully in charge from harvest to release, great job Daniel.